Save the date for the 2019 Joint Superintendents’ Conference: The 2019 MEUW/Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association Joint Superintendents’ Conference and Expo will be held Jan. 16-18 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin Dells.
This annual conference attracts nearly 200 municipal and cooperative utility leaders. Although the name is a bit misleading, please note that attendees do not have to be Superintendents in order to attend; all utility employees are welcome!
Sessions will include information on spill prevention, control and countermeasure; claims; electric vehicles; load securement; and more. Jack Jackson, a former semi-pro football star with an extensive background in workplace safety, will be the keynote speaker. Jack has an undeniable presence and emphasizes in all of his courses that “safety is always first.”
The conference will also include the annual Wisconsin Utility Suppliers Association trade show, which brings together the industry’s top manufacturers and suppliers and showcases the latest products and innovations.
Registration will open by Monday, Nov. 5. Watch for more information and a detailed agenda soon.
Get out and vote: The American statesman Thomas Jefferson once said, “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” With Election Day just a week away, it’s a timely reminder that all Americans have a duty to participate in the election process and cast a vote. Please make plans to exercise your right on Tuesday, Nov. 6 – or take advantage of early and absentee voting offered in many locations. To learn more, visit myvote.wi.gov.
It’s also important to remind the youth in our communities to vote – studies show that when young people take the right to vote seriously and participate in the election process, they often become lifelong voters.
PSC to hold public meeting on utility construction cases: On Nov. 7, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) will host a meeting to discuss how the public can participate in the various utility construction cases that are under consideration. Those interested in attending the meeting can expect to learn the general process by which the PSC makes its decisions, and how the public can have their voices heard throughout the proceedings.
PSC staff will not directly address any specific utility construction dockets. Agenda highlights include an overview of Wisconsin’s Administrative Procedures Act, PSC Guidelines of Contested Case; review of the PSC’s Electronic Records Filing System (ERF) procedures; and guidelines for how to participate as a member of the public or as party to the proceeding.
The meeting, which is expected to last about 90 minutes, will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 7 at the PSC Hearing Room in Madison. Those who would like to attend should RSVP no later than Nov. 5 to by e-mailing Matthew Spencer.
The meeting will also be broadcast live on-line through the PSC website.
Remember to Test, Glove and Ground: Late last week, an employee at one of our member utilities unfortunately experienced a contact incident.
It is no secret that our industry is still among the most hazardous. And a simple mistake or oversight can be life-threatening. Thankfully, in this case, there was not a fatality.
However, we need to use this incident as an opportunity to remind all employees of our member utilities to be highly attentive on the job in order to recognize and mitigate hazards.
An investigation of this recent contact is currently underway. Specific details will be presented when Mark Zielsdorf and/or Randy Larson visit your utility for your next Electric Safety and Training (EST) session.
In the meantime, as emphasized during all EST sessions, always remember to Test, Glove and Ground. In addition, whenever job briefings and tailboards have concluded but something occurs in the field that deviates from those discussions — no matter how small or large — always come back together as a group to discuss the issue and to decide how best to proceed.
As always, feel free to contact Randy or Mark with your electrical safety questions and concerns.
New member joins S&E Committee: Scott Gald, lead lineman from Richland Center, has been appointed to fill the vacant seat on MEUW’s Safety and Education Committee. Scott joins eight other MEUW utility representatives on one of MEUW’s most important and active member committees. Lonnie Pichler from Kaukauna serves as the Committee Chair. Click here for the full list of Committee members and their contact information.
Register for National Electrical Code Training: MEUW will host a National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) Seminar on Dec. 4-5, 2018, at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore.
Topics for this two-day conference include overhead and underground settings, substation clearance requirements, communication facilities clearance requirements, cable markings, and safety signs that conform with the National Electrical Safety Code and Wisconsin PSC 114 Code.
The registration fee for MEUW member utility employees is $175. Please click here for more information or to register.
MEUW has a block of rooms available at the AmericInn in Boscobel, which is the hotel nearest Southwest Wisconsin Tech. Reservations must be received by Nov. 20. Contact the hotel directly at (608) 375-8000 to make reservations.
Access the latest MEUW Calendar of Events, which now includes the dates for the Spring Customer Service Roundtables. And don’t forget to register to attend one of the remaining District Dinners, taking place through Nov. 15!